The Downtown Springfield Community Improvement District announced that the registered voters who live in the district have approved its half-cent sales tax initiative.

“Many people have put in a lot of work to make our Downtown a vibrant and inviting place. I am pleased that our CID has been extended for another 15 years and the sales tax passed overwhelmingly by our property owners and residents,” commented CID Chairman Chris Ball.

Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller reported the final results were 84 (84.8%) in favor to 15 (15.2%) against. The 99 official mail-ballot votes represented 14.9% response rate for the 664 registered voters residing within the district.

The sales tax rate of one-half percent (1/2%) is an increase from the previous one-quarter percent (1/4%). It will be for a maximum of 15 years for the purpose of funding the following services – safety and security, image enhancement, maintenance, and parking. The sales tax is estimated to raise an additional $160,000 per year. Other funding sources for the Downtown Springfield CID include a property assessment and voluntary contributions from governmental and non-profit organizations. The annual operating budget of the CID is estimated to grow from $352,000 in 2015-16 to $560,000 in 2017-18 when the sales and property taxes are in place for the entire year.

The Downtown Springfield CID originated in 1999 and was renewed by property owners in 2007 for ten years and earlier this year for another 15 years. The boundaries of the district are approximately Kimbrough Avenue on the east, Elm Street on the south, Grant Avenue on the west, and Chestnut Expressway on the north.

Contact Rusty Worley at 417.831.6200 or rusty@itsalldowntown.com or go to the www.itsalldowntown.com/CID website for additional information.

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